Pantech UML295 USB modem not working with Retina MBP

Question

Pantech UML295 USB modem not working with Retina MBP

I just got a Pantech UML295 USB modem (Verizon 4G). Works with my 2010 15" Macbook Pro, but is not recognized by the newer 15" Macbook Pro Retina with USB 3 ports - doesnt even show up in System Information. I can get it to work by attaching it through a USB 2.0 hub and then to a USB 3 port. I have an email into Pantech but haven't heard back from them, hoping for a firmware update to fix this. Anyone know of some other solution? The hub sort of defeats the purpose.

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Feb 19, 2013 7:07 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 19, 2013 10:35 AM in response to James Weisbin2

BTW, this isn't just a MacBook Pro Retina issue. It has been confirmed to do the same on a new iMac. See:

Pantech UML295 Issues with MBP/iMac

Looks like a USB 3.0 issue - hopefully Apple fixes it soon.

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Answer 2

Jul 19, 2013 8:27 AM in response to James Weisbin2

Did you get resolution on this? I have the same issue.

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Answer 3

Aug 1, 2013 10:30 AM in response to SynApse77

Did you get a resolution on this?

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Answer 4

Aug 1, 2013 10:35 AM in response to BlueDogUser

Nope. I have a tiny USB hub (MacAlly) with a short USB cable. I connect that to the Macbook Pro, and connect the Pantech to that, and it works, but it's not very convenient.

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Answer 5

Aug 14, 2013 3:31 PM in response to James Weisbin2

Same problem. Will a solution be figured out. I just bought a new mac book pro 13". It will not recognize the the Pantech 295 when it is inserted into the usb port.

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Answer 6

Aug 14, 2013 4:04 PM in response to troyfrommidland

I spent lots of time on phone with Verizon and Apple. Then I called Pantech. They told me the unit does not work with USB 3.0 devices. Sooo...Went back to Verison and had them switch me to another unit.

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Answer 7

Aug 16, 2013 8:55 AM in response to troyfrommidland

I found a solution, but I caution that it involves a hack. Make sure your system is backed up before you attempt this:

Download the file GenericUSBXHCI_1.2.4.tar.gz, from http://sourceforge.net/projects/genericusbxhci/files/

Download "Kext Utility" from http://www.osx86.net/view/2514-latest_kext_utility_10.8_edition.html

Open Kext Utility and let it finish the repair process, then drag GenericUSBXHCI.kext on it's window and let it finish again, then reboot.

I haven't had time to see how this affects other USB devices yet, so this is very experimental, but the Pantech UML295 is now recognized by my MacBook Pro (Retina Display), and "Verizon Mobile Broadband Manager" ("VMBM") recognizes it and can connect.

BTW, VMBM automatically connects to a wi-fi network if it finds one and disconnects from LTE data. There doesn't seem to be any way to stop this behavior. What's weird is that, if I turn on internet sharing through the LTE VMBM connection, it says it has connected through my wi-fi, but it still works, which is very strange. Is it really getting an internet connection through LTE, then sharing this out over my wi-fi, then forcing the computer to connect to it's own shared wi-fi signal? Bizarre.

Good luck

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Answer 8

Aug 19, 2013 5:36 PM in response to James Weisbin2

I may be crazy, but I'm working off of a Pantech UML295 as I type this... I just had to wait until it connected, then visit 192.168.32.2 in the browser, enable auto connect, and it worked great. Takes a few moments when you first plug it in for the activity light to go green, but if you have auto connect enabled, it seems to work fine. Hope this helps. No drivers, no applications necessary.

EDtheITguy

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Answer 9

Aug 19, 2013 6:42 PM in response to EDtheITguy

What model computer? This problem only happens on Macs with USB 3 ports

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Answer 10

Aug 19, 2013 6:58 PM in response to James Weisbin2

Newest MacBook Air, locked and loaded with 2 USB 3.0 ports...

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Answer 11

Aug 19, 2013 9:55 PM in response to EDtheITguy

Strange. Maybe the newest Airs have a USB update. Definitely a problem on Retina Display MBP's and iMacs.

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Answer 12

Aug 20, 2013 10:10 AM in response to James Weisbin2

I can confirm the Pantech UML 295 works with the very latest Macbook Air models - the new ones with the expanded battery life released the summer of 2013 - and does not work with previous USB 3.0 only models.

Somebody fixed something - this thing works great now!

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Answer 13

Sep 13, 2013 8:19 PM in response to EDtheITguy

OS X 10.8.5 did not fix this, and the Pantech no longer works with the GenericUSBXHCI kext version 1.2.5. Bummer.

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Answer 14

Jaymauri

Level 1

10 points

Sep 24, 2013 9:35 AM in response to James Weisbin2

Good afternoon, my name is Jorge Rivas and I do technicall support for UML295, I dont work for Pantech or Verizon, anyway Pantech and Verizon two weeks ago they release a new update for the Uml295 that make the Uml295 and Mac Pro compatible, is two ways to do this software update the first one is connect the uml295 to a windows computer, go to mbb.vzw.com and download the enhance application to the computer, after the enhance app is download you have to go to settings and check for updates available, run the update after is finish you go plug the uml295 on the mac pro and should be able to be detect by the mac pro.

The second way is used a hub port 2.0 on the mac pro and connect the uml295 to that hub and then go to mbb.vzw.com and should be able to download the enhance app, after finish downloading the enhance app you go to setting on the enhance app and check for updates and run the update. When all this process is finish go and unplug the hub and plug the uml295 and should be go to go.

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Answer 15

Sep 26, 2013 5:19 AM in response to Jaymauri

I can confirm that the second method worked for me. Thanks!

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